Category Archives: Area News

Area News, Submitted

Benefits of Buying at the Local Farmer’s Market

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By Sherise Beckham, MS, LD, RD, Mercy dietitian

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (May 22, 2018) – Spring is finally here and summer is just around the corner. With all the flowers blooming and gardens growing, who doesn’t love this time of year? As a dietitian, I am always encouraging people to eat more fruits and vegetables; however, we rarely talk about the origin of them. For example, who grows your produce? Where does your produce come from? What is the timeline from when it was picked, transported, displayed in the store and now in your hand? Answers to all these questions vary, and in some cases, we might rather not know the answer.

However, we live in an amazing community. Our community is surrounded by many farmers and growers right here in Bourbon County. Many sell their fruits and vegetables every week between May and October at the local Farmer’s Market. By purchasing there, you can find comfort in knowing who grew it, how they grew it and when it was picked and purchased by you. Local produce can also benefit your health and your taste buds.

Local produce is loaded with more flavor. Usually, produce sold in stores is harvested prior to peak freshness and shipped to your location. The ripening process happens during transportation and storage, rather than on the vine. Local farmers allow their produce to ripen on the vine and then picked when ripe. Once picked, they are sold quickly to you and me, which allows us to enjoy the best tasting tomato ever!

Local produce is also higher in nutrients. By choosing local produce, you are giving your body more of those nutrients that fruits and vegetables are packed with. Again, this goes back to the shorter time from harvest to your plate, and that the produce was picked when ripe, not prior to. When your local farmer picks the produce when ripe, the produce has been given the opportunity to grow and develop to its full potential.

Choosing to purchase local produce also supports our local economy and helps keep our dollars local. Purchasing local supports your local farmers and they use those dollars to reinvest in our community. Choosing local also allows you to ask the farmer about their common practices in growing and harvesting their crops. The more you know, the more you can buy with confidence!

Fresh produce in Kansas is limited to a seasonal basis because of the area’s growing season, but we have all summer to enjoy the produce harvested close to home. Next time you are planning your meals or grocery shopping, consider purchasing from our local farmers: you won’t be disappointed!

Mercy Hospital Fort Scott is an acute care hospital with 46 licensed beds, offering comprehensive medical, surgical, OB/GYN, pediatric, home care and hospice services. Inpatient care is provided with 24/7 physician coverage. In 2017, Mercy Hospital Fort Scott received The Leapfrog Group’s prestigious A rating. Mercy Clinic Fort Scott is located on hospital grounds as well as Mercy rural health clinics in Arma and Pleasanton.

Mercy, named one of the top five large U.S. health systems in 2018, 2017 and 2016 by IBM Watson Health, serves millions annually. Mercy includes more than 40 acute care and specialty (heart, children’s, orthopedic and rehab) hospitals, 800 physician practices and outpatient facilities, 44,000 co-workers and 2,100 Mercy Clinic physicians in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Mercy also has clinics, outpatient services and outreach ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. In addition, Mercy’s IT division, Mercy Technology Services, supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

supply chain organization, ROi, and Mercy Virtual commercially serve providers and patients in more than 20 states coast to coast.

Area News, Submitted

Westar and Kansas City Power and Light Merge

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KCC approves Westar/Kansas City Power and Light merger

Topeka – May 24, the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) approved a settlement agreement giving Westar Energy and Great Plains Energy (the parent company of Kansas City Power and Light) approval to merge as equals. Under the agreement, the two companies will become wholly owned subsidiaries of a new parent company and serve more than 1.5 million customers in Kansas and Missouri.

As the regulator of public utilities in the state, the Commission is charged with determining if the merger is in the public interest. That determination is made largely on the satisfaction of eight merger standards previously established by the Commission.

In its review of the merger standards, the Commission found the merger, as modified by the Settlement Agreement plus one additional condition, is in the public interest. The additional condition requires the companies to develop, and submit for Commission approval, an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) reporting process within three months of the close of the transaction. The implementation of the IRP will ensure the merger maximizes the use of Kansas energy resources.

The merger standards include:

  1. a) The effect of the transaction on consumers
  2. b) The effect of the transaction on the environment
  3. c) Whether the proposed transaction will be beneficial on an overall basis to state and local economies and to communities in the area served by the resulting public utility operations in the state.
  4. d) Whether the proposed transaction will preserve the Commission’s jurisdiction and capacity to effectively regulate and audit public utility operations in the state.
  5. e) The effect of the transaction on affected public utility shareholders.
  6. f) Whether the transaction maximizes the use of Kansas energy resources.
  7. g) Whether the transaction will reduce the possibility of economic waste.
  8. h) What impact, if any, the transaction has on the public safety.

Today’s order can be viewed at: http://estar.kcc.ks.gov/estar/ViewFile.aspx?Id=4ab19c7e-9957-40f1-8fb6-dd49aad0966f

The merger application was filed with the Commission on August 25, 2017. Statutorily the Commission is required to render a decision within 300 days. The parties have the right to file a petition for reconsideration within 15 days of the effective date of the order.

Area News

St. Martin’s Academy Open House

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The main building of St. Martin’s Academy, Theokotos Hall,  is currently under construction.

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St. Martin’s Academy, a  newly developed boys Catholic boarding school,  hosted an open house  Saturday on the campus at 1950 Indian Road, rural Fort Scott.
The campus is currently under construction.
“Our goal was to introduce the academy, its campus, and some of its staff both to local residents interested in the new project, potential supporters of our academic and cultural vision, and the families of prospective students,” Patrick Whelan, the academy’s headmaster said.
The torrential downpour on Saturday did not deter interested people.
Attendees of St. Martin’s Academy Open House, braved rain and mud while attending the event. Here the last attendees of the open house leave the main hall of the school which is still under construction.
“Despite the terrible weather in the morning, at its busiest, we had about 80 people present with some coming from as far away as Maryland, Virginia, Colorado, and Texas,” Whelan said. ” Many of the folks who attended were from local areas including Fort Scott, Pittsburg, and Kansas City, and many of those in attendance were families interested in sending a son to St. Martin’s Academy. “
The open house program began with Catholic Mass celebrated by the school’s chaplain, Fr. Bob McElwee, followed by a welcome and introduction from Daniel Kerr, the academy’s president, and Whalen.
Courtesy photo. Father McElwee speaks to attendees of the open house during Mass.
  Visitors participated in a round-robin of presentations from the faculty and staff of St. Martin’s Academy, including presentations on academics, residential life, farming, faith, and campus development.
“After lunch those interested participated in a hike through the campus that included feeding the animals, walking the woodland obstacle course, and visiting our ‘base camp’ in the woods,” Whelan said.
Following a break, visitors and local interested residents met in the lobby of the Courtland Hotel, downtown Fort Scott,  for the third, public St. Martin’s Academy Faculty Lecture, he said.
 “In a warm setting, with food and drink provided by the academy, Ron ‘Magister’ Klassen delivered a talk entitled The Joy of Learning Latin,” Whelan said.
For more information, click here to view a prior story:
Area News, Schools, Submitted

Welding Expansion at FSCC

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Masonry students Siarra Clark, left, and Coltin Oehme, right, are building the welding booth additions at CTEC.

FSCC is responding to students interested in welding.

Fort Scott Community College (FSCC), Southeast Kansas Career and Technical Education Center of Crawford County (CTEC) and area businesses have banded together to prepare for the fall semester increase of students interested in welding, according to Kassie Fugate-Cate, Director of Strategic Communications and Student Activities at FSCC.

FSCC’s Welding, Construction Trades, Masonry, and HVAC programs are located in Pittsburg.

Enrollment from Crawford County high school students is approximately 43 students, which made the expansion necessary.

CTEC will be adding five new welding booths to the 11 that already exists to accommodate the increase in enrollment.

FSCC masonry students are in the midst of building the cinder block booths, while Nutter Electric, Garland, is providing the necessary electrical upgrades, and the college is supplying the welding equipment.

Potential industry donors have been identified who may be willing to donate equipment for the new booth spaces as well.

Kris Mengarelli, the Director of FSCC CTEC says:  “It is exciting to see our enrollment increase, giving our students the opportunity to learn a trade in high need jobs.  This spring, we have been approached with more job openings than ever before from industry partners and have had more students take the certification test.  CTEC is an incredible partnership between high schools, FSCC, industry partners and generous donors and we are excited to continue to work together to benefit students in Crawford County.”

Area News, Submitted

Westar Energy Warns Customers of Electric Company Imposters.

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Callers use the threat of disconnection to get immediate payment.
TOPEKA, Kan., May 18, 2018 – Westar Energy is alerting customers that imposters claiming to work for the company are threatening to disconnect service and asking for prepaid cards as payment.

Several customers have contacted Westar Energy’s Customer Relations Center after receiving suspicious phone calls.

Some imposters are very convincing. They may use websites that allow them to manipulate caller ID, making the call appear to come from Westar. They speak with authority.

When the targeted customer calls the phone numbers provided, the person who answers sounds like they work for Westar.

In some cases, callers may even provide information like amount due
that makes them sound credible.

“Scammers create a sense of urgency to get customers to act quickly rather than allowing them time to check their account,” Gina Penzig, media relations manager, Westar Energy, said.

“We will never require a pre-paid card for payment. Also, we notify customers multiple times in advance if service may be interrupted for non-payment.”

Before acting on one of these calls, check your records to see if a recent payment has been made. If you are still unsure, call our Customer Relations Center, 1-800-383-1183, and
check your account status.

More about identifying scams: https://www.westarenergy.com/scams

If a customer receives a suspicious visit from an individual, he or she should also report it to their local law enforcement agency.

As Kansas’ largest electric utility, Westar Energy, Inc. (NYSE:WR) provides customers the safe, reliable electricity
needed to power their businesses and homes. We have 7,800 MW of electric generation capacity that includes renewables and
traditional power sources with half the electricity supplied to our more than 700,000 customers from emissions-free sources:
nuclear, wind and solar, with a third coming from renewables. We are a leader in electric transmission in Kansas coordinating a
network of lines and substations that supports one of the largest consolidations of wind energy in the nation. Our employees live,
volunteer and work in the communities we serve.
For more information about Westar Energy, visit us on the Internet at http://www.WestarEnergy.com. Westar Energy
is on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/westarenergy and Twitter: www.Twitter.com/WestarEnergy.
Media Contact:
Gina Penzig

Area News, Submitted

Westar Rate Change Request Hearing May 22

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The KCC to host a public hearing on Westar’s rate change application

Topeka – The Kanas Corporation Commission (KCC) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 22 to receive input from Westar Energy customers on the company’s rate change request.

The public hearing will begin at 6 p.m. at the Washburn Institute of Technology, Main Conference Center, Building A, located at 5724 SW Huntoon in Topeka.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the proposed rate change, ask questions and make comments to KCC Commissioners.

Members of the public can attend in person or watch a live broadcast of the hearing on the Commission’s website: www.kcc.ks.gov.

For those unable to watch live, a recording of the hearing will be available on the Commission’s website beginning May 30.

The application, filed by Westar in February, requests a $1.56 million dollar rate decrease effective September 2018 and a $54.2 million dollar rate increase in February 2019 for the company’s retail rate customers.

Combined, the adjustments would increase prices by $52.6 million.

If approved, residential customers with average monthly consumption of 900-kilowatt hours of electricity will see a monthly increase of $5.91 per month.

The request also includes updated tariffs for customers who installed their own source of electric power after October 28, 2015. A complete copy of Westar Energy’s Application and supporting testimony is available on the Commission’s website.

The Commission will accept public comments through 5 p.m. CDT, July 18, 2018. There are three convenient ways to submit a comment:

  1. Go to the KCC website (www.kcc.ks.gov) and click on the “Your Opinion Matters” link to

enter a comment.

2)   Send a written letter to the Kansas Corporation Commission, Office of Public Affairs and

Consumer Protection, 1500 SW Arrowhead Road, Topeka, KS 66604‑4027. Be sure to reference

Docket No. 18‑WSEE‑328-RTS.

3)  Call the Commission’s Public Affairs office at 1‑800‑662‑0027 or 785-271‑3140.

The Commission’s decision on the request is due on or before September 27, 2018.

Area News, Bourbon County, Submitted

Grief Support For Loss of Infant

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Infant Loss Remembrance Service Held May 26

Fort Scott, Kan. (May 18, 2018) – If you or your family has been impacted by pregnancy loss or the loss of an infant shortly after birth, Mercy wants to offer you a time for reflection and comfort.

You’re invited to come find support and healing at an Infant Loss Remembrance Service on Saturday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the St. Mary’s Cemetery located west of Fort Scott on Locust Road.  Anyone in the community or surrounding area who has suffered this type of loss is welcome to attend.  

Our time together will include a short service and time of prayer, plus a bubble release with opportunity for participants to write messages to those children being remembered.

In case of rain, the service will be moved to Mercy Hospital’s McAuley Conference Center.

For more information, contact Mercy Chaplain Luke Anker at 417-556-4419.

 

Area News, Submitted

Adin and Wilma Leach 60th Anniversary

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Adin and Wilma Leach celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary April 28, 2018, at Barto’s in Frontenac with family and friends.

They were married April 26, 1958, at Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, Kansas.

Pictured are the five daughters of the couple. Their son, Alan, died three years ago of brain cancer.

From left: Mimi Turner, Ottawa, KS; Alison Leach, Fort Scott; Angie Plaisance, Peachtree City, GA; Wilma, Adin; Amy Stephens, Independence; and DeeDee O’Malley, Independence.

Area News, Entertainment, Submitted

Memorial Day Activities At Fort Scott National Historic Site

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Living History and “Highlights in History” Featured for Memorial Day Weekend at Fort Scott National Historic Site

Fort Scott, Kansas: For the Memorial Day holiday this year, you and your family are invited to visit Fort Scott National Historic Site to experience the sights, sounds, and smells of a frontier military fort. Celebrate the weekend with living history programs, cooking demonstrations, and artillery firings.

On Saturday, volunteers and staff will present 1840s living history stations throughout the day at the Fort. Programs will focus on cooking, buying merchandise, and treating illnesses of the military garrison. Park Guides Dottie Messer and Paul Goodman will demonstrate what soldiers and people ate in the 19th century. Barry Linduff will do a presentation on the many goods available for soldiers and civilians in the Sutler store. Volunteers will present living history stations throughout the day throughout the Fort. At 2:00 p.m., come witness the power and sound of artillery. Kids of all ages are invited to join our soldiers in taking down the flag during flag retreat at 4:00 p.m.

Activities will continue on Sunday and Monday with more artillery demonstrations and programs focused on various historical events in which Fort Scott was involved. 1858: Bleeding Kansas Comes to “Fort Scott” will focus on the turbulent times Fort Scott citizens faced during the Bleeding Kansas era. In “Saws, Leaches, and Mercury”, the important role of Civil War medicine in the lives of soldiers will be highlighted.

On Monday at 2:45 p.m. will be a special Memorial Day program honoring Fort Scott’s fallen officers, followed by observance of the National Moment of Silence at 3:00 p.m. Throughout the day enjoy riveting period music of the 19th Century performed by the musical group “The Gum Springs Serenaders”.

The schedule of activities is listed below:

SATURDAY, MAY 26

10:00 a.m. – Cast Iron Skillets and Dutch Ovens: Cooking Demonstration and Talk

11:00 a.m. – Guided Tour

1:00 p.m. – “Crime and Punishment”- Guard Duty Talk

2:00 p.m. – “The Gun That Shoots Twice” – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 p.m. – “Plug, Port, and Peaches” – Post Sutler Talk

4:00 p.m. – Flag Retreat

SUNDAY, MAY 27

11:00 a.m. – Guided Tour

1:00 p.m. – “1858: Bleeding Kansas Comes to Fort Scott” – Guided Tour

2:00 p.m. – “The Gun That Shoots Twice” – Artillery Demonstration

3:00 p.m. – “Saws, Leeches, and Mercury” – 19th Century Medical Demonstration

MONDAY, MAY 28

11:00 a.m. – Guided Tour

1:00 p.m. – “The Gum Springs Serenaders” – Musical Program

2:30 p.m. – “The Gun That Shoots Twice” – Artillery Demonstration

2:45 p.m. – Honoring Fort Scott’s Fallen Officers

3:00 p.m. – National Moment of Remembrance

www.nps.gov

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 417 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

Area News, Submitted

Bike Across Kansas Ends Ride In Fort Scott

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BIKING ACROSS KANSAS WILL END THEIR 2018 RIDE IN DOWNTOWN FORT SCOTT

 The 44th year of the longest-running bicycling event in Kansas history – a 559-mile ride across the Sunflower State – begins Saturday, June 9th. Biking Across Kansas is an eight-day affair beginning at the Kansas-Colorado line with a route of approximately 850 cyclists and support staff.

The event will begin at the Kansas-Colorado line west of Johnson City and make overnight stops in Montezuma, Ashland, Pratt, Clearwater, Burden, Fredonia, and Arma.

On Saturday, June 16th, the cyclists will arrive in Fort Scott. The route riders will follow is west on Jayhawk Road to Richards Road, which turns into Margrave. West on East National Ave. to Main, riding on Main, North to Skubitz Plaza where a welcome celebration is being planned.

On that celebration morning, residents are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, signs, and noisemakers to North Main Street, between Wall and Skubitz Plaza. There, the Fort Scott community will welcome the expected 850 cyclists as they complete their route across the state of Kansas. Beginning at 8:00 am that morning, the first 150 people to arrive to cheer on the cyclists will be given a free cowbell to ring as riders pass by!

After the finish, riders participating in the Biking Across Kansas event will complete the day with a picnic on the parade grounds at Fort Scott National Historic Site.

For more information log on to bak.org, visitfortscott.com, or call the Fort Scott Convention and Visitors Bureau at 620.223.3566.

Area News, Submitted

Diabetes Support Group at Mercy Hospital

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Mercy Hospital Fort Scott will host a Diabetes Support Group on Monday, May 21 at 6 p.m. in McAuley Rooms C & D. The session topic is “Keeping Your Feet Healthy – information to care for and keep your feet healthy when you have diabetes.”

Patty Ryan, Mercy R.N. and diabetes educator, will lead the discussion and share details about options that may work for you.

The support group is open to the public. No registration is required and family members are encouraged to attend. Light refreshments will be served.

To learn more about this topic or other important information regarding managing diabetes, join the Mercy Diabetes Support Group. The group meets the third Monday of every other month. Mark your calendar for meeting dates of 2018: July 16 and September 17.

For more information, contact Patty Ryan, R.N., at 620-223-8412.

Area News, Submitted

Good Samaritan Program Raises $39,000

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Good Samaritan dinner & auction raises $39,000 for area seniors

Fort Scott Presbyterian Village thanks citizens for their support

 More than 500 people raised $39,000 for the Good Samaritan Program at Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s annual dinner and auction May 2.

Sale items included a car, John Deere lawnmower, collectible glass, quilts, furniture and indoor and outdoor household goods donated by area businesses and residents. Proceeds support the Good Samaritan Program, which provides financial assistance to Presbyterian Village residents who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own.

“We are so grateful for the support we receive each year for our dinner and auction,” said Ginger Nance, executive director at Presbyterian Village. “There were enough items to fill both sides of the garage and overflow into the outdoor parking area. We want to thank everyone who sponsored, volunteered, donated items, purchased dinner, bid on or bought auction items or participated in our raffle.”

Bruce and Carol Majors of Fort Scott won the trip to Santa Fe, N.M.

“I’m truly humbled by the commitment that our community, tenants, employees, donors and friends all have to the Presbyterian Village mission,” Nance said. “Each year, I am left feeling so touched after seeing how so many pull together to ensure that our seniors’ needs are met in our community. It is exhausting work but in such a great way! There’s no better feeling than knowing and seeing God’s work take place right before our eyes!”

The ticket sales including the dinner, trip raffle, sponsorships and auction totaled just over $30,000. The proceeds were added to the $5,050 in proceeds from the sale of Bob and Faye Steele’s household goods in August 2017, bringing the combined total raised for the Good Samaritan Program to $39,250.

The Steeles gave the household items of their estate to Presbyterian Village to be used in our Good Samaritan annual auction. Moving and storing a large number of items was a challenge, so Presbyterian Village had an auction at the Steeles’ farm in August.

For more information about Fort Scott Presbyterian Village’s independent and assisted living services, accommodations or amenities, contact Becky Kellum at 620-223-5550.

If you would like to partner with us to learn how you can make a difference in a seniors life through the Good Samaritan fund estate planning, please contact Ginger Nance at (620) 223-5550, [email protected] or the Presbyterian Manor development team at 800-336-8511 Ext. 1222. Every dollar truly makes a difference.

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has been offering independent and assisted living apartments for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. It is a member of the nonprofit Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America network of 17 communities and two hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.